Credit Freeze
A Credit Freeze gives you the ability to “freeze” or lock access to your credit file. This prevents anyone trying to open up a new account in your name from using your credit to do so. A Credit Freeze will not stop access to existing credit accounts.
When a security freeze is in place, an identity thief cannot open a new credit account because the potential creditor will not be able to check your credit file. When you apply for credit, you can temporarily lift the freeze using a PIN so legitimate applications for credit can be processed. This may take a few days to occur.
A Credit Freeze is usually a good idea:
- If you have been a victim of identity theft, or are very concerned that you may become a victim
- If you are aware that your mail has been stolen
- If you are over 65 and do not need new credit
- If you have established credit and will not have the need to access your credit file in the near future
A Credit Freeze may not be a good idea if:
- You will need access to your credit file soon for new credit such as a mortgage or car loan
- You are frequently moving and have to turn on new utilities. Utilities usually require credit access to activate a new account. Same issue with cell phone providers.
- You don’t want to pay the cost or have the inconvenience and delays associated with a Credit Freeze every time you want your credit accessed.
- You like using instant credit at department stores as you will not be able to get it as it takes time to lift a Credit Freeze.
For more information about adding a Credit Freeze to your credit files, contact each credit bureau directly at:
Trans Union
Experian
Equifax
Junk Mail
The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) Mail Preference Service will allow you to receive more of the mail you want to receive and less of the mail you do not. You may add your  name to individual company mail lists and remove your name from others. Complete a simple form and the DMA will send it along to their members. Register your choices here.
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Junk Email
The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) offer an Email Preference Service and allows you to remove your email from national marketing lists.
Although registration with the DMA will help reduce the number of emails you receive, it will not stop all emails. You may continue to receive emails from companies who do not use the DMA to clean their lists including SPAM. Email of a business-to-business nature received at your place of employment is also not affected through registration with the DMA.
The DMA does not provide marketers with consumer email lists for marketing purposes. The Email Preference Service is available to companies for the sole purpose of removing your email address from their email lists.
Credit Card Offers
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance not initiated by you (preapproved). The FCRA also provides you the right to "Opt-Out", which prevents Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your  credit file information for firm offers. You still may receive offers to apply for credit cards but they will not be firm offers (preapproved). If you choose to Opt-Out, you will no longer be included in firm offer lists provided by the credit reporting companies.
Click here to opt-out of firm credit offers
To be removed from offers to apply, you must opt out via the DMA Mail Preference Service.
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National Do Not Call List
The National Do Not Call List gives you a choice about receiving telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers will not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint here. You can register your home or cell phone number here.
The National Do Not Call Registry is managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency. It is enforced by the FTC, the Federal Communications  Commission (FCC), and state law enforcement officials. Your phone number will stay on the list indefinitely.
For more answers to questions about the National Do Not Call List, click here.
Computer Security
Your computer security is imperative in order to keep identity thieves at bay.
- You must be running antivirus and antispyware software and set them to update automatically on a daily basis.
- Password protect your computer with a strong password and require your password protected screen saver come on after 5 minutes of inactivity. Microsoft offers some good ideas for strong passwords here.
- Set your operating system for automatic security updates.
- Wireless networks should be secured (require a password to access). Avoid public wireless network access points as they are not secure.
- Hire a professional to secure your computer if required.
- Make sure your PDA, Blackberry and cell phone are also password protected as they hold personal information.
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Credit Reports
You can obtain one free credit report from each national credit reporting company without having to sign up for credit monitoring. Annualcreditreport.com is the official site set up by the credit reporting companies to provide access to your reports. One credit reports should be ordered and reviewed every 4 months (Equifax in January, Experian in May, TransUnion in September and then Equifax again in January). Staggering credit report reviews will give you greater visibility to any changes in your reports throughout the year.
Document Security
Shred everything! If you wouldn’t want an identity thief to see it, then shred it. Among other items, junk mail with your name and address, credit card receipts, account statements and tax documents should all be shredded. I prefer to use a cross-cut shredder as the pages are cut into much smaller pieces and make it nearly impossible to reconstruct.
 CDs, backup tapes and expired credit cards should also be shredded or destroyed. If your shredder will not accept them, cut them up with sheers or break them in a towel. Don’t just throw away an old computer. The hard drive must be properly sanitized before disposal.
Here is a good white paper documenting proper hard drive disposal. Do not leave your checkbook, wallet, credit card statements, back statements, tax returns, or any other financial document out in the open at home or in the office. Over 1/3 of all identity thefts occur by people that are known and trusted.
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On-line Transactions
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Use an electronic bill pay service. This will secure sensitive information on your protected computer rather than leaving them exposed on your desk, in a filing cabinet or in your mailbox where they can be stolen and used for identity theft.
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Stop paper statements and bills as they can be stolen in the mail. Switch to electronic versions.
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Delegate one home computer solely for banking and other secure financial transactions. This will minimize the likelihood of spyware or malware compromising your transaction.
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Sign up for online checking and credit card account email alerts to notify you if a transaction has occurred in your account.
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Data Breach Preparedness
A study by Javenin Strategy and Research uncovered that 75% of consumers were unlikely to continue shopping at a merchant where a data beach occurs. Just imagine what a data breach would do to your company! Prevention of a data breach is much less expensive than recovery from one and is key to your business survival.
Training your managers and employees about identity safety on a personal level is key to raising their awareness of information security on a business level.
If you are interested in having the Identity doctor in to speak or train your managers and employees please call us at 714.417.9984 or fill out our short information form.
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